The Moreton Bay Cycleway has long been a favourite for locals looking to soak in the sea breeze while riding from Sandgate through to Redcliffe. On weekends, families, commuters, and recreational riders share the scenic path, weaving past mangroves, playgrounds, and waterfront parks. But as e-scooters and e-bikes become more common on the coastal route, authorities are renewing their push for safer riding, especially in the lead-up to Christmas, when sales of personal mobility devices typically spike.
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This year, Queensland has launched Know Your eRules, a statewide safety campaign urging residents to brush up on what is legal and what is not before buying or gifting an e-device. With advertisements rolling out across Spotify, social media, and bus shelters, the message is designed to reach parents and younger riders in particular.
The campaign comes amid a worrying trend. In the past three years, Queensland has recorded 18 e-scooter deaths as well as several fatalities involving e-bikes. Emergency departments are also seeing more injuries, many linked to young people riding illegally powered e-motorbikes on suburban streets.
According to the Transport and Main Roads Department, these unsafe and illegal devices are being ridden around neighbourhoods across South East Queensland, including coastal corridors such as Redcliffe and Sandgate, where shared paths are heavily used by families and school-aged children.
Joanna Robinson, General Manager for Land Transport, Safety and Regulation at TMR, said too many people still assumed e-scooters and e-bikes were toys rather than motorised vehicles with strict requirements.
“These devices can be deadly if misused or ridden outside the legal age and safety requirements, with visits to hospital emergency departments due to e-scooter and e-bike incidents increasing at an alarming rate,” Ms Robinson said.
She reminded parents that fines apply to anyone breaking the law, including adults who permit children to ride illegal devices. “We’re really encouraging parents to visit the Government’s StreetSmarts website to learn about safe and legal devices, and to make sure their children understand the rules.”
Queensland Police will also be out in force this holiday season. Road Policing Group Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler said parents often underestimate how much supervision their children need.
“Buying a personal mobility device doesn’t give your child free rein to ride it whenever or however they want — it means you, as the parent or carer, need to know the rules and supervise them appropriately,” he said. “Supervision isn’t optional, it’s part of keeping them safe.”
Rules for e-bikes and e-scooters
Under Queensland law, personal mobility devices — including e-scooters — come with clear age restrictions:
- Riders must be at least 16 to ride unsupervised.
- Children aged 12 to 15 may ride only if an adult is walking or riding closely nearby.
- Children under 12 are not permitted to ride an e-scooter at all, even with supervision.
- Only one rider is allowed per device.
- Helmets are mandatory
For e-bikes, the regulations are just as strict when it comes to power:
- Devices with motors exceeding 250 watts or capable of going more than 25 km/h are illegal on public roads and paths.
- Speed increases must come from pedal power, not the motor.
- Riders must follow speed limits and avoid using mobile phones while riding.
- Helmets are compulsory.
Authorities advise that anyone planning to give an e-scooter or e-bike as a Christmas gift should ensure it is fully compliant, understand the rules, and include a properly fitted helmet.
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For more information on legal devices and safety tips, visit Queensland’s StreetSmarts’ website.
Published 3-December-2025
